Anchor bolt and annularly grooved expansion sleeve assembly exhibiting high pull-out resistance, particularly under cracked concrete test conditions

ABSTRACT

A wedge-type anchor assembly, capable of meeting cracked concrete testing standards, comprises an anchor bolt component and a substantially C-shaped expansion sleeve component annularly disposed about the anchor bolt component. A plurality of annular grooves, threads, or teeth are disposed only about the forward end portion of the expansion sleeve component, as opposed to throughout the entire axial length thereof, so that when the anchor bolt component is moved axially through the expansion sleeve component, the maximum interference area (M.I.A.) and maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) can be generated between the anchor bolt component and the expansion sleeve component in a controlled and predictable manner, as well as between the expansion sleeve component and the internal peripheral side wall portions of a concrete substrate or substructure can be generated so as to enhance pull-out resistance and reliability of the anchor assembly within the concrete substructure or substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application is related to, based upon, and effectively autility patent application conversion from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/810,627, which was filed on Jun. 5, 2006, thefiling date benefits of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wedge type anchors for usewithin concrete boreholes, and more particularly to a new and improvedcracked concrete wedge type anchor assembly comprising an axiallyoriented anchor bolt and an annularly threaded or grooved expansionsleeve or clip annularly disposed around the axially oriented anchorbolt, wherein the annularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or cliphas a continuous array of annularly oriented threads, grooves, or teeth,which comprises a predetermined number of threads, grooves, or teethdisposed about the forward external peripheral surface portion of theannularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or clip, and wherein theannularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or clip is fabricatedfrom a metal sheet or plate and formed into the annularly threaded orgrooved expansion sleeve or clip so as to have a substantially C-shapedcross-sectional configuration which enables the annularly threaded orgrooved expansion sleeve or clip to be expanded by effectively beingopened as the axially oriented anchor bolt is pulled therethrough.

The internal peripheral surface of the annularly grooved expansionsleeve or clip, within the leading end portion thereof, and the externalperipheral surface of the axially oriented anchor bolt, within theleading end portion thereof, have predetermined inclined slopes, all ofwhich features effectively combine and contribute to the achievement ofthe maximum interference area (M.I.A.) or the maximum interferencevolume (M.I.V.) as developed between the axially oriented anchor boltand the annularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or clip so as to,in turn, develop the maximum interference area (M.I.A.) or the maximuminterference volume (M.I.V.) between the annularly threaded or groovedexpansion sleeve or clip and the internal peripheral side wall portionsof a borehole formed within a concrete substrate or substructure so asto force the annularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or clip intoits anchored disposition within the concrete borehole formed within theconcrete substrate or substructure, and wherein further, each one of theannular threads, teeth, or grooves of the annularly threaded or groovedexpansion sleeve or clip has a predetermined depth dimension so as toeffectively ensure its engagement and retention within the side wallportions of the borehole despite any slight expansion or contraction ofthe concrete substrate or substructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Anchoring assemblies, for use within boreholes that have beenpre-drilled, for example, within concrete substructures or substrates,are of course well known in the art and industry. Examples of suchanchoring assemblies are disclosed, for example, within U.S. Pat. No.5,911,550 which issued to Popp et al. on Jun. 15, 1999, U.S. Pat. No.4,929,134 which issued to Bergner on May 29, 1990, U.S. Pat. No.4,904,135 which issued to Barthomeuf et al. on Feb. 27, 1990, U.S. Pat.No. 4,720,224 which issued to Peterken on Jan. 19, 1988, U.S. Pat. No.1,115,205 which issued to Johnson on Oct. 27, 1914, and U.S. Pat. No.1,000,715 which issued to Caywood on Aug. 15, 1911. Obviously, inconnection with the use of such anchoring assemblies within the concretesubstructures of substrates, it is desirable to develop and useanchoring assemblies wherein the same are characterized by means ofstructural components or features which will effectively ensure the factthat the holding capabilities, or the pull-out resistancecharacteristics, of the anchoring assemblies will not be compromisedwhereby the anchoring assemblies will remain solidly affixed, or stablyembedded, within the concrete substrates or substructures for longperiods of time despite the presence, existence, or development ofvarious, varying, or volatile external environmental conditions. In thismanner, not only will the anchoring assemblies exhibit desirably longservice lives, but in addition, the structural components, which havebeen secured to the concrete substructures or substrates by means ofsuch anchoring assemblies, will be solidly and reliably affixed orsecured to the underlying concrete substrates or substructures.

One means for effectively determining or testing the performancecapabilities of such anchoring assemblies comprises an industriallyaccepted operational technique known as cracked concrete testing whichbasically simulates real-world conditions, in a compressed time-frame,under laboratory testing conditions. In accordance with such operationaltesting, and with reference being made to FIG. 1, a block of concrete 10has a plurality of transversely oriented rebars 12 fixedly embeddedtherein. A hydraulic pump 14 is operatively connected to each one offirst end portions 16 of the plurality of rebars 12 by means of suitablehydraulic connectors 18, and crack initiators 20, which may comprise,for example, wedge-type devices, plates, hydraulic expansion tubes, orthe like, are incorporated within the concrete block 10 at predeterminedlocations along the transverse extent of the concrete block 10 so as toeffectively cause or initiate the development or propagation oflongitudinally oriented cracks 22 within the concrete block 10, at aplurality of transversely spaced locations, when the hydraulic pump 14is operatively cycled between pulling and pushing modes of operationwhereby pulling and pushing forces are alternatively exerted upon thefirst end portions 16 of the rebars 12. In this manner, the rebars 12effectively undergo expansion and contraction whereby, in turn, thecracks 22 are caused to be cyclically expanded or contracted betweenOPEN and CLOSED positions. A plurality of first linearly variabledisplacement transformers (LVDTs) 24 are operatively associated witheach one of the longitudinally extending cracks 22 so as to in factmeasure the size of each crack 22 as each one of the cracks 22 iscyclically expanded or contracted between its OPEN and CLOSED positionsas a result of the exertion of the pulling and pushing forces upon thefirst end portions 16 of the rebars 12 by means of the hydraulic pump14.

Continuing still further, and with reference being made to FIG. 2, whenthe pump 14 is operated so as to be disposed in its mode whereby pushingforces are exerted upon the first end portions 16 of the rebars 12 so asto effectively cause the cracks 22 to be disposed in their CLOSEDpositions, a hole 26 is drilled or bored within each one of the crackedregions 22 of the concrete block 10, and an anchor assembly 28 isinstalled within each one of the boreholes 26. Each one of the anchorassemblies 28 is subsequently torqued to its specifications, and apredetermined sustained load, as schematically illustrated by means ofthe arrow L, is then applied to each one of the anchor assemblies 28 bymeans of a suitable spring-loaded or hydraulic pump load assembly orbracket 30 that has a suitable load cell mechanism, not illustrated,operatively associated therewith so as to in fact measure the extent ofthe load impressed upon each one of the anchor assemblies 28.Subsequently, the hydraulic pump 14 is cyclically operated so as tocause each one of the cracks 22 to be OPENED and CLOSED, by means of apredetermined amount, such as, for example, 0.012 inches (0.012″) forone thousand (1000) cycles over the course of a predetermined period oftime, such as, for example, three or four hours, during which time eachone of the anchor assemblies 28 is effectively required to exhibitsufficient pull-out resistance so as not to be permitted to moveupwardly within, or relative to, the concrete block 10 by means of adistance of more than 0.120 inches (0.120″) or else the particularanchor assembly 28 will be considered to be a failure and thereforeunacceptable for its intended usage. In connection with the monitoringof the movements of each one of the anchor assemblies 28, a secondlinearly variable displacement transformer (LVDT) 32, which may beoperatively connected to the spring-loaded or hydraulic pump loadassembly or bracket 30, may be employed to measure the distance thateach one of the anchor assemblies 28 may move within the concrete block10. It is to be appreciated, for example, that the cyclic testing of theanchor assemblies 28 within the concrete block 10, wherein the crackedregions 22 of the concrete block 10 are cyclically OPENED and CLOSEDduring the one thousand (1000) times or cycles, is designed to simulate,for example, environmental conditions wherein, for example, concretesubstructures or substrates may expand and contract due to variances inambient temperature conditions.

While it is noted that the aforenoted U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,550,4,929,134, 4,904,135, 4,720,224, 1,115,205, and 1,000,715, whichrespectively issued to Popp et al., Bergner, Barthomeuf et al.,Peterken, Johnson, and Caywood, are directed toward and disclose variousanchoring assemblies for use within concrete or similar boreholes, it isadditionally noted that none of the disclosed anchoring assemblies aredirected toward an anchoring assembly which is specifically structuredso as to assuredly satisfy or meet the requirements of the aforenotedcracked concrete testing procedures in order to ensure that not onlywill each anchoring assembly not exhibit failure and will in factdesirably exhibit high pull-out resistance and long service lives, butin addition, that the structural components, which have been secured tothe concrete substrates or substructures by means of such anchoringassemblies, will be solidly and reliably affixed or secured to theunderlying concrete substrate or substructure foundations. A needtherefore exists in the art for a new and improved anchoring assemblywhich is specifically structured so as to assuredly satisfy or meet therequirements of the aforenoted cracked concrete testing procedures inorder to ensure that not only will such anchoring assemblies not exhibitfailure and will in fact desirably exhibit high pull-out resistance andlong service lives, but in addition, that the structural components,which have been secured to the concrete substrates or substructures bymeans of such anchoring assemblies, will be solidly and reliably affixedor secured to the underlying concrete substrates or substructures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objectives are achieved in accordance with theteachings and principles of the present invention through the provisionof a new and improved wedge type anchoring assembly which comprises anaxially oriented anchor bolt and an annularly threaded or groovedexpansion sleeve or clip annularly disposed around the axially orientedanchor bolt. The annularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or cliphas a continuous array of annularly oriented grooves, threads, or teeth,comprising a predetermined number of grooves, threads, or teeth, whichare disposed about the forward end external peripheral surface portionof the expansion sleeve or clip so as not to extend throughout theentire axial length of the expansion sleeve or clip. In addition, theannularly threaded or grooved expansion sleeve or clip is fabricatedfrom a metal sheet or plate which is formed into the annularly groovedexpansion sleeve or clip so as to have a substantially C-shapedcross-sectional configuration that enables the annularly groovedexpansion sleeve or clip to be expanded by effectively being opened asthe axially oriented anchor bolt is pulled therethrough.

It is also noted that each one of the annular teeth, threads, or groovesof the expansion sleeve or clip has a predetermined depth dimension, asmeasured between the root and crest portions thereof, which is largerthan the distance that the cracked regions of the concrete block areopened during the cracked concrete testing technique or procedures so asto ensure the fact that the grooves, threads, or teeth of the expansionsleeve or clip effectively remain embedded within the side wall portionsof the borehole formed within the concrete block. In addition, theinternal peripheral surface portion of the annularly grooved expansionsleeve or clip, within the leading end portion thereof, and the externalperipheral surface of the axially oriented anchor bolt, within theleading end portion thereof, have predetermined inclined slopes. All ofthese various features characteristic of the new and improved expansionsleeve or clip of the present invention effectively combine andcontribute to the achievement of a maximum interference area (M.I.A.) ormaximum interference volume (M.I.V.) as developed between the axiallyoriented anchor bolt and the annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clip,so as to, in turn, be developed between the annularly grooved expansionsleeve or clip and the internal peripheral side wall portions of theborehole formed within the concrete substrate or substructure so as toforce the annularly grooved expansion clip or sleeve into its solidlyaffixed anchored disposition within a concrete borehole, to be formedwithin a concrete substrate or substructure, whereby the expansionsleeve or clip component will exhibit enhanced pull-out resistanceproperties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other features and attendant advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully appreciated from the following detailed descriptionwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a concrete block having various structuralcomponents operatively connected thereto so as to permit the concreteblock to undergo cracked concrete testing;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of the concrete block, asillustrated within FIG. 1, wherein an anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly has been inserted into one of the boreholes formed within oneof the cracked concrete regions so as to be ready for performance of thecracked concrete testing procedures;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a new and improved anchor bolt andexpansion sleeve assembly which has been constructed in accordance withthe principles and teachings of the present invention and whichdiscloses the cooperative parts thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the anchor bolt component, of thenew and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly as has beenillustrated within FIG. 3, illustrating in detail the various structuralfeatures characteristic of the anchor bolt component of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a sheet or plate from which the newand improved expansion sleeve component, of the new and improved anchorbolt and expansion sleeve assembly as has been illustrated within FIG.3, can be fabricated by rolling or forming the sheet or plate in suchmanner that the finished expansion sleeve component has a substantiallytubular configuration wherein the opposite side edge portions of thesheet or plate will be mated together along a longitudinally or axiallyoriented seam portion;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sheet or plate, as illustrated withinFIG. 5, wherein the sheet or plate is being rolled or formed in such amanner that the opposite side edge portions of the sheet or plate willbe mated together along the longitudinally or axially oriented seamportion whereby the resulting, new and improved expansion sleevecomponent, of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly, will have its substantially tubular configuration;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of the sheet or plate, as illustratedwithin FIG. 5, before the sheet or plate is rolled or formed into thenew and improved expansion sleeve component of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly, showing the variousstructural features thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, end elevational view of the sheet or plate, asillustrated within FIG. 7, before the sheet or plate is rolled or formedinto the new and improved expansion sleeve component of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly, more clearly showingthe details of the various structural features thereof;

FIG. 8 a is a side elevational view, similar to that of FIG. 5, showing,however, a second embodiment of a sheet or plate from which the new andimproved expansion sleeve component, of the new and improved anchor boltand expansion sleeve assembly as has been illustrated within FIG. 3, canbe fabricated by rolling or forming the sheet or plate in such mannerthat the finished expansion sleeve component has a substantially tubularconfiguration wherein the opposite side edge portions of the sheet orplate will be mated together along a longitudinally or axially orientedseam portion, and wherein the plurality of circumferentially spaced,triangularly configured barbs are angularly offset with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the sheet or plate from which the new and improvedexpansion sleeve component is to be fabricated;

FIGS. 9 a-9 k are schematic views showing the progressive incrementalmovement of the anchor bolt component, of the new and improved anchorbolt and expansion sleeve assembly of the present invention asillustrated within FIG. 3, relative to the expansion sleeve component ofthe new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly, wherebyas the anchor bolt component is incrementally moved with respect to thenew and improved expansion sleeve component, different amounts ofinterference area, as developed between the anchor bolt component andthe new and improved expansion sleeve component, are achieved; and

FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the progressive interference area, thatis developed between the anchor bolt component and the new and improvedexpansion sleeve component, and which will, in turn, be developedbetween the annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clip and the internalperipheral side wall portions of the borehole formed within the concretesubstrate or substructure, as a function of the incremental displacementof the anchor bolt component with respect to the new and improvedexpansion sleeve component, as the anchor bolt component isprogressively drawn through the new and improved expansion sleevecomponent in an incremental manner, as has been illustrated within FIGS.9 a-9 k.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 3 thereof,a new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly, which hasbeen constructed in accordance with the principles and teachings of thepresent invention, and which is disclosed and generally indicated by thereference character 110, is seen to comprise an anchor bolt or threadedstud component 112 and an expansion sleeve component 114. Moreparticularly, and as can be appreciated with reference beingadditionally made to FIG. 4, the anchor bolt or threaded stud component112 is seen to comprise a shank portion 116 and a head portion 118. Therearward half of the shank portion 116 of the anchor bolt component 112is externally threaded as at 120 so as to serve as a load-bearing orload-application member in a well-known manner, while the forward halfof the shank portion 116 of the anchor bolt component 112 isnon-threaded and comprises a stepped configuration comprising arelatively large-diameter rearwardly disposed section 122 and arelatively small-diameter forwardly disposed section 124. An annularflange member 126 is provided at the juncture of the relativelylarge-diameter rearwardly disposed section 122 and the relativelysmall-diameter forwardly disposed section 124 so as to effectivelydefine an annular shoulder portion against or upon which the rear endportion of the expansion sleeve component 114 is adapted to be seated,prior to the expanded installation of the expansion sleeve component 114within the borehole of a concrete substrate or substructure, as isillustrated within FIG. 3 and as will become more apparent hereinafter.Still further, it is seen that the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent comprises a cylindrically configured forwardmost section 128,and a frusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 that isinterposed between, and integrally connects together, the cylindricallyconfigured forwardmost section 128 of the head portion 118 and therelatively small-diameter forwardly disposed section 124 of the shankportion 116. It is lastly noted that the external annular or peripheralsurface portion of the frusto-conically configured wedge-type section130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112 issubstantially smooth, continuous, and planar, and has an angularinclination with respect to the longitudfinal axis 132 of the anchorbolt component 112, as denoted by means of the arrow A, of approximately10°, the purpose of which will be discussed more fully hereinafter,although it is to be noted still further that this particular angle isfor use upon, or in connection with, a one-half inch (0.500″) diameteranchor, whereby other angled surfaces may be used in connection withotherwise dimensioned anchors.

With reference now being made to FIGS. 5-8, it is seen that theexpansion sleeve component 114 is adapted to be fabricated from a metalsheet or plate having a thickness dimension of approximately 0.058inches (0.058″), wherein, again, such dimensions are for use upon, or inconnection with, a one-half inch (0.500″) diameter anchor, however,other expansion sleeve components, having other thickness dimensions,may be used in connection with otherwise dimensioned anchors. Theexpansion sleeve component 114 may be fabricated, for example, from asuitable low-carbon steel with a zinc plating. This fabrication of theexpansion sleeve component 114, from the metal material having theaforenoted thickness dimension, permits the expansion sleeve component114 to be rolled into an annular or tubular structure, under theinfluence of forces schematically illustrated by means of the arrows F,Fas shown, for example, within FIG. 6, whereby the oppositely disposedside edge portions 134,136 of the expansion sleeve component 114 will bebrought toward and into near proximity or substantial contact with eachother so as to create a longitudinally or axially oriented seam portion.Alternatively, the expansion bolt may be fabricated from a suitablecarbon steel composition which is, in turn, plated with a zinc-tinplating. The zinc-tin plating permits the expansion sleeve component 114to exhibit a desired amount of friction with respect to the borehole ofthe concrete substrate or substructure and yet permits the anchor boltor threaded stud component 112 to move in a desirably controlled mannerwith respect to the expansion sleeve component 114.

The formation of the expansion sleeve component 114 as the tubularstructure having, in effect, a substantially C-shaped cross-sectionalconfiguration, as opposed to a solid tubular or annular expansion sleevecomponent, is a desirable feature characteristic of the new and improvedexpansion sleeve component 114 of the present invention because suchstructure permits the expansion sleeve component 114 to open immediatelyand undergo radially outward expansion when the anchor bolt component112 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly110 is moved relative to the expansion sleeve component 114. Thisrelative movement of the anchor bolt component 112 relative to theexpansion sleeve component 114 causes the head portion 118 of the anchorbolt component 112 to forcefully expand the expansion sleeve component114 into interference contact with, and the crushing of, the internalperipheral surface portion of the concrete wall defining the boreholewithin the concrete substrate or substructure, as will be discussed andillustrated in more detail hereinafter. This is to be contrasted with atypical solid tubular or annular expansion sleeve component which mustinitially undergo plastic deformation, by means of the anchor boltcomponent, prior to achieving interference contact with, and thecrushing of, the internal peripheral surface portion of the concretewall defining the borehole within the concrete substrate orsubstructure.

Continuing further, it is also to be appreciated from FIG. 5 that theexpansion sleeve component 114 has a longitudinal or axial lengthdimension L which may comprise, for example, 0.866 inches (0.866″),again, when being used upon or in connection with a one-half inch(0.500″) diameter anchor, and that a plurality of annular grooves,teeth, or threads 138, as can also be clearly seen and appreciated fromFIGS. 7 and 8, are provided upon the forwardmost external surfaceportion of the expansion sleeve component 114. More particularly, it isseen that the plurality of annular teeth, grooves, or threads 138comprises, for example, five, contiguously disposed annularly orientedgrooves, teeth, or threads 138, and that the five, contiguouslydisposed, annularly oriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 are onlyprovided upon the forwardmost one-quarter portion of the expansionsleeve component 114 such that the five, contiguously disposed,annularly oriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 extend over alongitudinal or axial extent portion of approximately 0.200 inches(0.200″). The provision of the five, contiguously disposed, annularlyoriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138, only upon the forwardmostone-quarter portion of the expansion sleeve component 114, as opposed tohaving such annularly oriented grooves, teeth, or threads formed uponthe expansion sleeve component 114 throughout the entire longitudinal oraxial length thereof, also comprises another desirable structuralfeature characteristic of the new and improved annular expansion sleevecomponent 114 in that, as will be discussed and illustrated more fullyin detail hereinafter, such structure enables the new and improvedannular expansion sleeve component 114 to achieve a predeterminedmaximum interference area with, and to effectively crush, the internalperipheral surface portion of the concrete wall defining the boreholeformed within the concrete substrate or substructure.

As can also be seen from FIGS. 5-7, a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced, triangularly configured barbs 140 are provided upon therearwardmost external surface portion of the expansion sleeve component114. In this manner, as the anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly110 is inserted into the borehole defined within the concrete substrateor substructure, the plurality of barbs 140 will effectively bite into,or become embedded within, the internal peripheral surface portion ofthe concrete wall defining the borehole within the concrete substrate orsubstructure so as to thereby prevent rotation and reverse movement ofthe expansion sleeve component 114 with respect to the borehole definedwithin the concrete substrate or substructure. Alternatively, as can beappreciated from FIG. 8 a, a second embodiment of a sheet or plate, fromwhich a new and improved expansion sleeve component 214, of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly as has beenillustrated within FIG. 3, can be fabricated by rolling or forming thesheet or plate in such manner that the finished expansion sleevecomponent has a substantially tubular configuration wherein the oppositeside edge portions of the sheet or plate will be mated together along alongitudinally or axially oriented seam portion, is disclosed. It is tobe appreciated that the second embodiment expansion sleeve component 214is substantially the same as the first embodiment expansion sleevecomponent 114 as disclosed within, for example, FIG. 5, except as willbe described shortly hereinafter, and accordingly, those component partsof the second embodiment expansion sleeve component 214, whichcorrespond to the component parts of the first embodiment expansionsleeve component 114, will be designated by corresponding referencecharacters except that they will be within the 200 series.

More particularly, it is to be appreciated that the only significantdifference between the second embodiment expansion sleeve component 214and the first embodiment expansion sleeve component 114 resides in theorientation or disposition of the barbs 140,240 upon the respectivesheet or plate from which the expansion sleeve components 114,214 are tobe fabricated. More specifically, while the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced, triangularly configured barbs 140 of the firstembodiment expansion sleeve component 114 have their primarylongitudinal axes 142 substantially aligned with or disposed parallel tothe longitudinal axis 144 of the sheet or plate from which the expansionsleeve component 114 is to be fabricated, the plurality ofcircumferentially spaced, triangularly configured barbs 240 of thesecond embodiment expansion sleeve component 214 have their axes 242angularly offset or disposed at a predetermined angle A, such as, forexample, 20°, with respect to the longitudinal axis 244 of the sheet orplate from which the expansion sleeve component 214 is to be fabricated.

The reason for this is that as the anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly is inserted into the borehole defined within the concretesubstrate or substructure, the plurality of angularly offset barbs 240will not only effectively bite into, or become embedded within, theinternal peripheral surface portion of the concrete wall defining theborehole within the concrete substrate or substructure so as to therebyprevent rotation and reverse movement of the expansion sleeve component214 with respect to the borehole defined within the concrete substrateor substructure, as was the case with the plurality of barbs 140, but inaddition, since such angularly offset barbs 240 will in effect formgrooves within the borehole of the concrete substrate or substructurewhich will be disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of theborehole, the tendency of the expansion sleeve component 214 toeffectively back itself, and the anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly, out of the borehole, is significantly negated because theexpansion sleeve component 214 would have to effectively undergo reverseangular rotation which is not normally going to occur under naturalforces attendant an embedded anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assemblywithin a borehole of a concrete substrate or substructure. Accordingly,the anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly will exhibit enhancedpull-out resistance characteristics.

As can also be appreciated with reference being additionally being madeto FIG. 8, it is seen that each one of the plurality of annularlyoriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 have forwardly and rearwardlydisposed flank surface portions that are disposed at an angle ofapproximately 60° with respect to each other, and that the pitch P ofthe grooves, teeth, or threads 138, as defined between successive onesof the plurality of grooves, teeth, or threads, as measured, forexample, between successive root portions of the plurality of grooves,teeth, or threads 138, is approximately 0.039 inches (0.039″) in view ofthe fact that the grooves, teeth, or threads 138 have been machined intothe expansion sleeve component 114 in accordance with twenty-eight (28)threads per inch thread formation techniques. While twenty-eight (28)threads per inch is preferred, threads within the range of twenty (20)to thirty-two (32) may be employed. In addition, it is to be furtherappreciated that, in accordance with another desirable feature which ischaracteristic of the present invention, each one of the annularlyoriented teeth, grooves, or threads 138 has a radial depth dimension D,as measured between the root portion of the particular tooth, groove, orthread, and the crest portion of the particular groove, tooth, orthread, that is within the range of 0.015-0.050 inches (0.015-0.050″).The significance of such depth dimensions is that when, for example, thenew and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 isinserted within a borehole defined within a concrete substrate orconcrete substructure, and when the aforenoted cracked concrete testingprocedures are subsequently conducted in connection with the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 wherein, forexample, as has been noted hereinbefore, the cracked concrete is cycledbetween its OPEN and CLOSED states, comprising, for example, thepredetermined amount or distance of 0.012 inches (0.012″), the annularlyoriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 will in fact remain embeddedwithin the internal peripheral side wall portions of the boreholes whichhave been previously formed within the concrete substrate orsubstructure. As has also been noted hereinbefore, such testingprocedures have been designed to simulate real-world conditions so as toensure that anchor assemblies used within on-site locations will exhibitsatisfactory performance characteristics and will not exhibit orexperience failure.

Alternatively, it is to be noted that different ones of the annularlyoriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 may have different radial depthdimensions D, as measured between the root portion of the particulartooth, groove, or thread, and the crest portion of the particulargroove, tooth, or thread, however, the radial depth dimension wouldstill be sufficiently large so as to ensure the fact that the teeth,grooves, or threads not only remain embedded within the internal sidewall portions of the concrete block 10 during the cracked concretetesting procedures, but just as importantly, that the teeth, grooves, orthreads would remain embedded within the internal side wall portions ofthe concrete substrate or substructure during real variableenvironmental conditions during which the concrete substrate orsubstructure would undergo expansion and contraction. It is also notedthat the radially outward extents or crest portions of the plurality ofannularly oriented grooves, threads, or teeth 138 do not extend beyondthe outside diametrical extent of the body portion of the new andimproved expansion sleeve component 114. This comprises anotherdesirable feature characteristic of the new and improved expansionsleeve component 114 in view of the fact that when the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 is inserted into theborehole defined within the concrete substrate or substructure, theradially outward extents or crest portions of the plurality of annularlyoriented grooves, teeth, or threads 138 will not adversely,deleteriously, and undesirably gouge or abrade the internal side wallsurface portions of the borehole defined within the concrete substrateor substructure.

Continuing further, it is also seen that the internal peripheral surfaceportion of the new and improved expansion sleeve component 114 isinclined radially outwardly at the forwardmost end portion thereof, asconsidered in the longitudinal or axial direction extending from therearward or upstream end portion of the expansion sleeve component 114to the forward or downstream end portion of the expansion sleevecomponent 114, as illustrated at 146. More particularly, it is notedthat the inclined internal peripheral surface portion 146 of theexpansion sleeve component 114 is disposed at an angular inclinationwith respect to a line or plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of theexpansion sleeve component 114, as denoted by means of the arrow B, ofapproximately 10° which is, as will be recalled, substantially the sameangular inclination of the external peripheral surface portion of thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112 with respect to the longitudinalaxis 132 of the anchor bolt component 112. Accordingly, the inclinedinternal peripheral surface portion 146 of the expansion sleevecomponent 114 and the external peripheral surface portion of thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112 together define mating surfaceportions which have substantially or approximately matchinginclinations.

In addition, as was the case with the external peripheral surfaceportion of the frusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of thehead portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112, the internalperipheral surface portion 146 of the expansion sleeve component 114 issubstantially smooth, continuous, and planar so that, together, theexternal peripheral surface portion of the frusto-conically configuredwedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, and the internal peripheral surface portion 146 of theexpansion sleeve component 114, define or comprise the largest possiblecommon conical surface area throughout their longitudinal and angularextents. The significance of the foregoing, which will be appreciatedeven more fully hereinafter, resides in the fact that when the expansionsleeve component 114 and the anchor bolt component 112 are assembledtogether so as to form the new and improved anchor bolt and expansionsleeve assembly 110 as disclosed within FIG. 3, and when the anchor boltcomponent 112 is subsequently moved axially with respect to theexpansion sleeve component 114 so as to cause the radially outwardexpansion of the expansion sleeve component 114 with respect to theinternal side wall portions of the borehole within which the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 is disposed, theexternal peripheral surface portion of the frusto-conically configuredwedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112 will immediately cause the radially outward expansion ofthe expansion sleeve component 114 with respect to the internal sidewall portions of the borehole within which the new and improved anchorbolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 is disposed.

It is to be appreciated that if the angular inclination B of theinternal peripheral surface portion 146 of the expansion sleevecomponent 114 was significantly less than the angular inclination A ofthe external peripheral surface portion of the frusto-conicallyconfigured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchorbolt component 112 so as to be substantially mismatched, then it may besomewhat difficult to initially properly seat the expansion sleevecomponent 114 upon the anchor bolt component 112 as illustrated withinFIG. 3, or, in other words, the external peripheral surface portion ofthe frusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the headportion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112 would have to initiallycause some radially outward deformation of the leading end portion 146of the expansion sleeve component 114. Alternatively, if the angularinclination B of the internal peripheral surface portion 146 of theexpansion sleeve component 114 was significantly greater than theangular inclination A of the external peripheral surface portion of thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112, then the anchor bolt component 112would have to undergo substantially more axial displacement in therearward direction, with respect to the expansion sleeve component 114,before, for example, engaged contact, between the external peripheralsurface portion of the frusto-conically configured wedge-type section130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112 and theinternal peripheral surface portion 146 of the expansion sleevecomponent 114, could be established.

With reference lastly being made to FIGS. 9 a-9 k and FIG. 10, theoperational attributes and advantages that are characteristic, orexhibited by means, of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansionsleeve assembly 110 of the present invention will now be disclosed anddescribed as a function of the installation of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 within a borehole definedor formed within a concrete substrate or substructure. Moreparticularly, FIGS. 9 a-9 k schematically disclose or illustrate the newand improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 as the anchorbolt component 112 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansionsleeve assembly 110 is axially moved, in increments of tenths of aninch, in a sequential manner with respect to the expansion sleevecomponent 114 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly 110, while FIG. 10 graphically illustrates the totalinterference area generated between a section of the anchor boltcomponent 112, of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeveassembly 110, and the expansion sleeve component 114 of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110, andcorrespondingly, or in turn, the total interference area that will begenerated between the expansion sleeve component 114 of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 and the internalperipheral side walls of the borehole defined or formed within theconcrete substrate or substructure, as a function of the axialdisplacement of the anchor bolt component 112 of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 with respect to theexpansion sleeve component 114 of the new and improved anchor bolt andexpansion sleeve assembly 110.

More particularly, still further, it can be appreciated that when theinstallation process is initiated, the expansion sleeve component 114 ofthe new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 willbe disposed upon the anchor bolt component 112 of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110 such that the rearward orupstream end portion of the expansion sleeve component 114 will beseated upon, or disposed in abutment with, the annular collar or flangedshoulder member 126 of the new and improved anchor bolt component 112.At this point in time, the inclined or sloped internal peripheralsurface portion 146 of the expansion sleeve component 114 will be seatedupon, or disposed in substantial surface contact with, the similarlyinclined or sloped external peripheral surface portion 130 of the anchorbolt component 112. Accordingly, no interference area forces are as yeteffectively generated. However, as the anchor bolt component 112 beginsto be moved axially rearwardly with respect to the expansion sleevecomponent 114, the larger diameter forwardly disposed or downstreamsections of the inclined or sloped external peripheral surface portion130 of the anchor bolt component 112 will begin to, and willprogressively, engage the inclined or sloped internal peripheral surfaceportion 146 of the expansion sleeve component 114 so as to initially andprogressively cause the C-shaped expansion sleeve component 114 to beOPENED and expanded radially outwardly. At this point in time, severalunique and novel features, characteristic of the new and improved anchorbolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110, are to be appreciated.

Firstly, it is to be noted and appreciated that as the anchor boltcomponent 112 progressively engages the inclined or sloped internalperipheral surface portion 146 of the expansion sleeve component 114during the incremental movements of the anchor bolt component 112,between its starting point, as disclosed within FIG. 9 a, and the pointat which the anchor bolt component 112 has been axially moved, relativeto the expansion sleeve component 114 through means of the axialdistance of, for example, 0.600 inches (0.600″), which would again becharacteristic of a one-half inch (0.050″) diameter anchor, both thelarger diameter forwardly disposed or downstream sections of theinclined or sloped external peripheral surface portion of thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112, and the larger diameter forwardlydisposed or downstream sections of the cylindrically configuredforwardmost section 128 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, will cause progressively more axially located annularportions of the annularly grooved, threaded, or toothed portion 138 ofthe expansion sleeve component 114 to be expanded radially outwardly andinto engagement with the internal peripheral side wall portions of theborehole defined within the concrete substrate or substructure.Accordingly, the total area interference, as taken along a singleaxially oriented plane, as generated between the anchor bolt component112 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly110, and the expansion sleeve component 114 of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110, as well as between theexpansion sleeve component 114 and the internal peripheral side wallportions of the borehole formed or defined within the concrete substrateor substructure will be constantly increased as schematicallyillustrated by means of the blackened areas A within FIGS. 9 b-9 k andas graphically illustrated within FIG. 10.

The reason for the aforenoted phenomena resides in the fact that as thelarger diameter forwardly disposed or downstream sections of theinclined or sloped external peripheral surface portion of thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112, as well as the larger diameterforwardly disposed or downstream sections of the cylindricallyconfigured forwardmost section 128 of the head portion 118 of the anchorbolt component 112 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansionsleeve assembly 110, encounter and engage the forwardly disposed ordownstream end portion of the expansion sleeve component 114, upon whichthe annularly grooved, threaded, or toothed portions 138 of theexpansion sleeve component 114 are disposed, progressively more and moreannular, axially located, radially oriented cross-sections of theannularly grooved, threaded, or toothed portions 138 of the expansionsleeve component 114 will be expanded radially outwardly and intoengagement with the internal peripheral side wall portions of theborehole defined within the concrete substrate or substructure. Thisever-increasing volumetric interference is effectively graphicallyillustrated within FIG. 10. More particularly, it is to be appreciatedthat FIG. 10 actually graphically illustrates the total interferencearea defined between those annularly grooved, threaded, or toothedportions 138 of the expansion sleeve component 114 and the internal sidewall portions of the borehole defined within the concrete substrate orsubstructure, as taken along only one axially oriented plane. However,the total volumetric interference can of course be readily obtained orcalculated from the entire three-dimensional 360° expanse of theexpansion sleeve component 114 when considered with respect to theentire internal peripheral side wall portions of the borehole definedwithin the concrete substrate or substructure.

Continuing still further, it is secondly noted that as a result ofproviding the forwardly disposed or downstream end portion of theexpansion sleeve component 114 with only the predetermined number ofannularly grooved, threaded, or toothed portions 138, that is, forexample, three to eight annularly grooved, toothed, or threaded portions138, with five annularly grooved, toothed, or threaded portions 138being preferred, the ever-increasing interference area or interferencevolume, as defined between the annularly grooved, threaded, or toothedportions 138 of the expansion sleeve component 114 and the internalperipheral side wall portions of the borehole defined within theconcrete substrate or substructure, and as graphically illustrated inFIG. 10, has a predeterminedly desired slope whereby the maximuminterference area (M.I.A.) or maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) isultimately achieved when the anchor bolt component 112, of the new andimproved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110, has been axiallymoved approximately 0.600 inches (0.600″) with respect to the expansionsleeve component 114 of the new and improved anchor bolt and expansionsleeve assembly 110. The reason for this is that when the anchor boltcomponent 112 has been axially moved approximately 0.600 inches (0.600″)with respect to the expansion sleeve component 114, the larger diameterforwardly disposed or downstream sections of the inclined or slopedexternal peripheral surface portion of the frusto-conically configuredwedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, followed by the larger diameter forwardly disposed ordownstream sections of the cylindrically configured forwardmost section128 of the head portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112 will nowengage the rearward or upstream solid, non-grooved, non-threaded,non-toothed portions of the expansion sleeve component 114.

More particularly, it is to be appreciated that such solid, non-grooved,non-threaded, non-toothed portions of the new and improved expansionsleeve component 114 define a larger or greater area or volume of solidmaterial comprising the expansion sleeve component 114 than the area orvolume of solid material defined within the annularly grooved, threaded,or toothed regions 138 of the expansion sleeve component 114, andaccordingly, a larger or greater area or volume of the internalperipheral side wall portions of the borehole, defined within theconcrete substrate or substructure, will be engaged and effectivelycrushed by means of the expansion sleeve component 114. Therefore, themaximum interference area (M.I.A.), or the maximum interference volume(M.I.V.), as defined between the expansion sleeve component 114 and theinternal peripheral side wall portions of the borehole defined withinthe concrete substructure or substrate, is able to be achieved.

Continuing further, this maximum interference area (M.I.A.) and maximuminterference volume (M.I.V.) continues until the anchor bolt component112 has effectively been moved rearwardly with respect to the expansionsleeve component 114 through means of an axial distance of approximatelyeight-tenths of an inch (0.800″) because at that point in time, as canbe best appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 9 i and 9 j, the rearwardor upstream end portion of the frusto-conically configured wedge-typesection 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112 isjust ready, and begins, to exit from the rearward or upstream endportion of the expansion sleeve component 114. Accordingly, the maximumamount of solid material, comprising the frusto-conically configuredwedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, and the larger diameter forwardly disposed or downstreamsections of the cylindrically configured forwardmost section 128 of thehead portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112, which had previouslybeen disposed in forceful, contact engagement with the solid portion ofthe expansion sleeve component 114 will no longer be so disposed. To thecontrary, only a reduced amount of the solid material, comprising thefrusto-conically configured wedge-type section 130 of the head portion118 of the anchor bolt component 112, and the larger diameter forwardlydisposed or downstream sections of the cylindrically configuredforwardmost section 128 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, will now be disposed in forceful, contact engagement withthe solid portion of the expansion sleeve component 114. In fact, theamount of solid material, comprising the frusto-conically configuredwedge-type section 130 of the head portion 118 of the anchor boltcomponent 112, and the larger diameter forwardly disposed or downstreamsections of the cylindrically configured forwardmost section 128 of thehead portion 118 of the anchor bolt component 112, that will be disposedin forceful, contact engagement with the solid portion of the expansionsleeve component 114, will be progressively reduced as the anchor boltcomponent 112 continues to move axially rearwardly with respect to theexpansion sleeve component 114 whereby the amount of interference area,or interference volume, is progressively reduced and tapers off as canbe appreciated from FIGS. 9 j,9 k, and FIG. 10.

In connection with the aforenoted generation of the interference areaand interference volume, as defined between the anchor bolt component112 and the expansion sleeve component 114 of the new and improvedanchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly 110, as well as between theexpansion sleeve component 114 and the internal peripheral side wallportions of the borehole defined within the concrete substrate orsubstructure, it is to be appreciated that if a significantly smallernumber than, for example, three to eight, annular grooves, teeth, orthreads 138, were used, that is, if only one or two annular threads,grooves, or teeth were used, then while the slope of the graphical plotwould effectively be steeper than that as illustrated within FIG. 10,indicating, in effect, that the maximum interference area (M.I.A.) ormaximum interference volume (M.I.V.) would effectively be achieved in ashorter amount of time, that is, as a result of a smaller axial studdisplacement in view of the fact that the solid, non-grooved,non-threaded, or non-toothed portions of the expansion sleeve component114 would effectively come into play and engage the internal peripheralside wall portions of the borehole, defined within the concretesubstrate or substructure, sooner, the ability to actually embed asufficient number of the annular teeth, grooves, or threads within theinternal peripheral side wall portions of the borehole, defined withinthe concrete substrate or substructure, would not be sufficient in orderto provide the necessary or requisite holding power or pull-outresistance requireed in connection with the cracked concrete testingprocedures.

Alternatively, if a significantly larger number than, for example, threeto eight annular grooves, teeth, or threads 138, were used, then theslope of the graphical plot would be shallower than that as illustratedwithin FIG. 10 thereby indicating, in effect, that it would effectivelytake longer to achieve the desired and maximum interference area(M.I.A.) or maximum interference volume (M.I.V.), whereby, again, theability to provide the necessary or requisite holding power or pull-outresistance required in connection with the cracked concrete testingprocedures might not be able to be achieved. More particularly, if thislast scenario was carried to the extreme wherein the external surfaceportion of the expansion sleeve component 114 was entirely characterizedby means of annular grooves, teeth, or threads, and was thereforeentirely devoid of the aforenoted non-grooved, non-toothed, ornon-threaded solid portions within the upstream end regions thereof,then the aforenoted crushed engagement of the internal peripheral sidewall portions of the borehole, defined within the concrete substrate orsubstructure, would never be achieved so that, in turn, the maximuminterference area (M.I.A.) or maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) wouldnever be achieved because the internal peripheral side wall portions ofthe borehole would never be encountered by non-grooved, non-toothed, ornon-threaded solid portions of the expansion sleeve component 14.

Thus, it may be seen that in accordance with the principles andteachings of the present invention, there has been disclosed a new andimproved anchor assembly which comprises an axially oriented anchor boltor threaded stud and an annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clipannularly disposed around the axially oriented anchor bolt or threadedstud wherein the annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clip has acontinuous array of annularly oriented grooves, teeth, or threads, withthe array comprising a predetermined number of grooves, threads, orteeth which are disposed about the forward end external peripheralsurface portion of the expansion sleeve or clip so as not to extendthroughout the entire axial length of the expansion sleeve or clip. Inaddition, the annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clip is fabricatedfrom a metal sheet or plate which is formed into the annularly groovedexpansion sleeve or clip so as to have a substantially C-shapedcross-sectional configuration that enables the annularly groovedexpansion sleeve or clip to be expanded by effectively being opened asthe axially oriented anchor bolt is pulled therethrough. In addition,each one of the annular teeth, threads, or grooves of the expansion clipor sleeve has a predetermined depth dimension, as measured between theroot and crest portions thereof, that is larger than the distance thatthe cracked regions of the concrete block are opened during the crackedconcrete testing technique or procedures so as to ensure the fact thatthe teeth, grooves, or threads of the expansion sleeve or clipeffectively remain embedded within the side wall portions of theborehole formed within the concrete block during cracked concretetesting procedures or simulated environmental expansion and contractionconditions.

Still further, the internal peripheral surface portion of the annularlygrooved expansion sleeve or clip, within the leading end portionthereof, and the external peripheral surface of the axially orientedanchor bolt, within the leading end portion thereof, have predeterminedmating inclined slopes. All of these various features characteristic ofthe new and improved expansion sleeve or clip of the present inventioneffectively combine and contribute to the achievement of a maximuminterference area (M.I.A.) or maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) asdeveloped between the axially oriented anchor bolt and the annularlygrooved expansion sleeve or clip, so as to, in turn, be developedbetween the annularly grooved expansion sleeve or clip and the internalperipheral side wall portions of the borehole formed within the concretesubstrate or substructure so as to force the annularly grooved expansionclip or sleeve into its solidly affixed anchored disposition within aconcrete borehole, to be formed within a concrete substrate orsubstructure, whereby the expansion sleeve or clip component willexhibit enhanced holding power and pull-out resistance properties.

Obviously, many variations and modifications of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the number ofannular grooves, teeth, or threads, the number of threads per inch, thedepth of the annular grooves, threads, or teeth, the particular anglesof the mating inclined slopes of the forward, internal peripheralsurface portion of the expansion sleeve component and the externalperipheral surface portion of the frusto-conically configured wedge-typesection of the head portion of the anchor bolt component, and thediameter of the anchor bolt or threaded stud, can be varied, theultimate objective being the achievement of the maximum interferencearea (M.I.A.) and the maximum interference volume (M.I.V.) as definedbetween the anchor bolt component and the expansion sleeve component ofthe new and improved anchor bolt and expansion sleeve assembly, as wellas between the expansion sleeve component and the internal peripheralside wall portions of the borehole defined within the concretesubstructure or substrate. It is therefore to be understood that withinthe scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method of performing cracked concrete testingwithin a borehole, defined within a concrete substrate, using an anchorassembly, comprising the steps of: forming at least one cracked regionwithin a concrete substrate; connecting a component to said concretesubstrate so as to cause said at least one cracked region of saidconcrete substrate to be expanded and contracted between OPENED andCLOSED positions; inserting an anchor bolt assembly within a boreholedefined within said at least one cracked region of said concretesubstrate, wherein said anchor bolt assembly comprises an anchor boltmember having a longitudinal axis and an enlarged head portion disposedupon a forward end portion of said anchor bolt member, an expansionsleeve member annularly disposed around said anchor bolt member, and aplurality of annular grooves disposed only upon a forward externalperipheral portion of said expansion sleeve member, while a rearwardexternal peripheral portion of said expansion sleeve member isnon-grooved and solid; applying a predetermined load to said anchor boltassembly by torquing said anchor bolt assembly to a predetermined levelwhereby said anchor bolt member will move axially rearwardly throughsaid expansion sleeve member whereby said enlarged head portion of saidanchor bolt member will initially progressively expand said forwardportion of said expansion sleeve member so that said plurality ofannular grooves will be progressively forced into engagement withinternal peripheral side wall portions of said borehole defined withinsaid concrete substrate so as to progressively define a progressivelyincreased area and volume of interference with said internal peripheralside wall portions of said borehole defined within said concretesubstrate, and subsequently, said enlarged head portion of said anchorbolt member will progressively expand said rearward portion of saidexpansion sleeve member so that said non-grooved solid portion of saidexpansion sleeve member will be progressively forced into engagementwith said internal peripheral side wall portions of said boreholedefined within said concrete substrate so as to achieve a maximuminterference area (M.I.A.) and a maximum interference volume (M.I.V.)with said internal peripheral side wall portions of said boreholedefined within said concrete substrate so as to enhance the holdingpower and pull-out resistance of said anchor assembly with respect tosaid borehole defined within said concrete substrate; operating saidcomponent, connected to said concrete substrate, so as to cyclicallyexpand and contract said at least one cracked region of said concretesubstrate between said OPEN and CLOSED positions for a predeterminednumber of cycles and for a predetermined period of time; and measuringthe movement of said anchor bolt assembly within said at least onecracked region of said concrete substrate, while said at least onecracked region of said concrete substrate is being cyclically expandedand contracted between said OPENED and CLOSED positions, so as toeffectively gauge the pull-out resistance of said anchor bolt assemblywith respect to said concrete substrate.
 22. The method as set forth inclaim 21, further comprising the step of: forming said at least onecracked region within said concrete substrate by using crack initiators.23. The method as set forth in claim 22, further comprising the step of:selecting said crack initiators from the group comprising wedge-typedevices, plates, and hydraulic expansion tubes.
 24. The method as setforth in claim 21, further comprising the steps of: providing rebarswithin said concrete substrate; using a hydraulic pump as said componentconnected to said rebars of said concrete substrate; and operativelyconnecting said hydraulic pump to said rebars of said concrete substrateby hydraulic connectors.
 25. The method as set forth in claim 21,further comprising the step of: using a linearly variable displacementtransformer (LVDT) to measure said movement of said anchor bolt assemblywithin said at least one cracked region of said concrete substrate,while said at least one cracked region of said concrete substrate isbeing cyclically expanded and contracted between said OPENED and CLOSEDpositions, so as to effectively gauge the pull-out resistance of saidanchor bolt assembly with respect to said concrete substrate.
 26. Themethod as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the step of:providing the number of said plurality of annular grooves, disposed uponsaid forward external peripheral portion of said expansion sleevemember, within the range of three to eight.
 27. The method as set forthin claim 21, further comprising the step of: providing the plurality ofannular grooves, disposed upon said forward external peripheral portionof said expansion sleeve member, with a predetermined pitch definedbetween successive adjacent grooves as based upon the number of groovesper inch which is within the range of twenty to thirty-two grooves perinch.
 28. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising thestep of: providing all of said plurality of annular grooves, disposedupon said forward external peripheral portion of said expansion sleevemember, with a depth dimension which is within the range of 0.015-0.050inches (0.015-0.050″).
 29. The method as set forth in claim 28, furthercomprising the step of: providing all of said plurality of annulargrooves, disposed upon said forward external peripheral portion of saidexpansion sleeve member, with the same depth dimension which is withinthe range of 0.015-0.050 inches (0.015-0.050″).
 30. The method as setforth in claim 28, further comprising the step of: providing all of saidplurality of annular grooves, disposed upon said forward externalperipheral portion of said expansion sleeve member, with different depthdimensions within said range of 0.015-0.050 inches (0.015-0.050″). 31.The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of:providing a forward, internal peripheral surface portion of saidexpansion sleeve member, and an external peripheral surface portion ofsaid anchor bolt member, with substantially matching angularorientations as considered with respect to said longitudinal axis ofsaid anchor bolt member.
 32. The method as set forth in claim 31,further comprising the step of: providing said substantially matchingangular orientations of said forward, internal peripheral surfaceportion of said expansion sleeve member, and said external peripheralsurface portion of said anchor bolt member, as being approximately 10°.33. The method as set forth in claim 21, further comprising the step of:providing said annular expansion sleeve member, disposed around saidanchor bolt member, as a sheet member rolled upon itself so as to have asubstantially C-shaped cross-sectional configuration.
 34. The method asset forth in claim 33, further comprising the step of: fabricating saidannular expansion sleeve member from metal.
 35. The method as set forthin claim 34, further comprising the step of: fabricating said annularmetal expansion sleeve member from low-carbon steel plated with zinc.36. The method as set forth in claim 34, further comprising the step of:fabricating said annular metal expansion sleeve member from carbon-steelplated with a zinc-tin composition.
 37. The method as set forth in claim21, further comprising the steps of: providing said expansion sleevemember, annularly disposed around said anchor bolt member, with arearwardly disposed body portion having a predetermined externaldiametrical extent; and forming said plurality of annular grooves,disposed only upon said forward external peripheral portion of saidexpansion sleeve member, such that said plurality of annular grooves donot extend radially beyond said external diametrical extent of saidrearwardly disposed body portion of said expansion sleeve member so asnot to gouge internal peripheral side wall portions of the boreholedefined within the substrate during installation of said anchor assemblyinto the borehole defined within the substrate.
 38. The method as setforth in claim 21, further comprising the step of: providing barbs uponsaid expansion sleeve member, annularly disposed upon said anchor boltmember, for effectively biting into, and becoming embedded within,internal peripheral surface portions of the concrete wall defining saidborehole within said concrete substrate so as to thereby preventrotation of said expansion sleeve component with respect to saidborehole defined within said concrete substrate.
 39. The method as setforth in claim 38, further comprising the step of: providing said barbsas a plurality of barbs circumferentially spaced upon said expansionsleeve member annularly disposed upon said anchor bolt member.
 40. Themethod as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the step of: formingeach one of said plurality of barbs such that each one of said pluralityof barbs has a substantially triangular configuration.
 41. The method asset forth in claim 39, further comprising the step of: forming each oneof said plurality of barbs such that each one of said plurality of barbshas a primary longitudinal axis which is disposed substantially parallelto said longitudinal axis of said expansion sleeve member.
 42. Themethod as set forth in claim 39, further comprising the step of: formingeach one of said plurality of barbs such that each one of said pluralityof barbs has a primary longitudinal axis which is disposed at apredetermined angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of saidexpansion sleeve member.
 43. The method as set forth in claim 42,further comprising the step of: forming each one of said plurality ofbarbs such that said predetermined angle, at which each one of saidplurality of barbs is angularly offset with respect to said longitudinalaxis of said expansion sleeve member, is approximately 20°.